Concealed spout assembly



June 6, 1967 R. M. MONAHCN 3,323,695

CONCEALED SPOUT ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1N VEN TI'OR. RlCHARD M. MONAHON ATTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 22, 1965 "51TH u IF k INVENTOR.

RICHARD M. MONAHON ail/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,323,695 CONCIEALED SPOUT ASSEMBLY Richard M. Monahon, Basking Ridge, N.J., assignor to OEL Inc, Elizabeth, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 489,156 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-506) This invention relates to an actuator assembly for valved pressure dispensers, and more particularly to a novel two-piece actuator assembly of attractive appearance which incorporates means for preventing leakage from or contamination of the dispensing spout thereof while simultaneously concealing the same during non-use.

Pressure dispensers, as for example, those of the aerosol or piston type, are now widely employed for products such as shaving creams, toothpaste, hand lotions and the like where upon actuation of the controlling valve the product is discharged through a dispensing spout. In the course of time, a quantity of product tends to accumulate at the terminal end of the spout as a result of excess or postfiow, rendering the same unsightly as well as unsanitary.

Further, with the increasingly varied products now being pressure packed, particularly comestibles such as syrups, peanut butter, etc., the question of unsightliness and/or unsanitariness becomes more important, calling for an effective means to prevent or reduce the same.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide an actuator assembly for a pressure dispenser which includes novel and effective means for reducing or preventing unsightliness of the discharge spout hitherto resulting from accumulation of excess product or afterflow of the product through the spout.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an actuator assembly wherein the terminal end of the spout is automatically and positively closed off following each usage of the same to dispense a quantity of product.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing spout which is protected from contamination by being substantially entirely enclosed between dispensed charges.

It is a further important object of the invention to provide a novel mounting ring and flexible spout arrangement in association with a valve actuator.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the concealed actuator spout assembly of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional elevation illustrating the manner in which the spout is normally concealed during nonuse, and also illustrating the assembly as associated with a typical pressure dispenser;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 wherein the spout is uncovered upon depression of the actuator lever;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 looking forwardly from the center of the assembly.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 looking rearwardly, illustrating the interfitting relationship of the spout and its concealing member.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the two components of the actuator assembly prior to assembly thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the concealed actuator spout assembly of the present invention is shown at It) and comprises a pair of interfitted plastic elements 12 and 14. He ment 14 comprises an annular wall 16 dimensioned for conventional association with a pressure dispenser such as the typical container 18 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the element 14 further including the integrally formed ice spout 2d and actuator button 22 at the inner end thereof.

Element 12 associated with the element 14 includes a finger-receiving lever 24 which upon depression thereof engages actuator button 22, a downwardly tapered spoutconcealing portion 44, and connecting hinge-like means in the form of a pair of depending pins 28, which latter are snugly frictionally received within a pair of spaced apertures 30 provided within inwardly extending cars 32 of member 14, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6.

More particularly, the annular wall or mounting ring 16 of element 14 is provided with means such as a snap rib 34, FIG. 2, whereby the element 14 may be conventionally fitted upon the container 14.

Integrally formed with wall 16 and disposed transversely thereof to project both inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto is the spout 20 as above mentioned, the bore of which communicates at actuator button 22 with a vertical bore extending downwardly adjacent the valve means 36 of container 18. Valve means 36 in the form illustrated is a conventional aerosol valve of the type shown in the patent to Ayres, 2,805,113. It will be apparent of course that the actuator button 22 may be employed with any of the many reciprocating valve assemblies commonly associated with dispensers of varying types which are well known in the art and industry.

A pair of generally triangular wall portions 38 extend forwardly from wall 16 adjacent spout 20 on either side thereof and which are integral therewith along the lower spout web 40 as clearly seen in FIG. 5, as well as being integral along with the top web of the spout for the major portion thereof as seen in FIG. 6. The terminal end of spout 20 is separated from the wall portions 38 for a short distance inwardly of the ends thereof as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 to define a pair of grooves 39 on either side of the spout to receive the side walls 42 of spout concealing portion 44 of element 12.

The element 12 as shown in the inverted perspective view of FIG. 6, has the finger lever portion 24 thereof integrally formed at about a 30 angle with the spout concealing portion 44, the element 12 being molded with an integral rib 46 to further rigidify the parts. The spout-concealing portion 44 includes an end wall 48 connecting the side walls 42, which together fully enclose the terminal end of the spout 20 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, as well impart a neat and attractive overall appearance to the spout assembly.

In this connection it will be noted that spout 20 terminates somewhat short of the foremost extending portions of side wall areas 38, whereby forward wall 48 of spout-concealing portion 44 neatly blends with and merges with the terminal ends of extensions 38 as seen in FIG. 1 to present a neat overall appearance, as well as to prevent exposed accumulation and buildup of product on the spout.

The element 12 is readily assembled with the element 14 by insertion of hinge pins 28 within the snugly fitting apertures 30 as aforesaid, the two parts fitting nicely together as seen in FIG. 1 with the spout-concealing portion 44 substantially flush with the upper surfaces of extensions 38, and with the finger tab 24 recessed within annular wall 16. In this connection a portion of wall 16 may be cut away as at 50 as seen in FIG. 1 to facilitate manual positioning of the finger lever portion 24, and to this end also the external surface of lever 24 may be ribbed as seen at 52 in FIG. 1 to facilitate positioning of the finger thereupon.

The spout assembly it is thereupon. secured to a pressure dispenser 18 as by means of the snap rib34 or like devices, with the depending stern of the actuator button 22 associated with the valve element 36 of the container.

Thereafter, upon manual depression of the finger-re ceiving tab 24, element 12 pivots through flexing of hinge pins 28 causing elements 1.2 and 14 to appear as seen in FIG. 3. Thus, spout concealing portion 44 is withdrawn from grooves 39 and enclosing relation with the spout 20, and simultaneously, engagement of the rib 46 with actuator button 22 depresses the latter by flexing the inner portion of spout 20 between button 22 and the wall 16, causing valve assembly 36 to be opened whereby the product is dispensed through the bore 20 for use.

Upon release by the user of finger tab 24, the inherent resilience of the plastic material will restore the element 12 to the FIG. 2 position, with front wall 48 of spoutconcealing portion 44 cleanly closing off in shear fashion the end of spout 20, while adjacent side wall portions 42 come into surrounding relation with the sides of spout 20 within cutaway portions 39, thereby to fully enclose and protect the discharge end of spout 2t}. Actuator button 22 similarly restores to the FIG. 2 position upon release of flexing pressure thereagainst.

In this manner then it will be seen that the present concealed spout assembly is highly simple in fabrication and assembly, comprising but two interfitting molded parts, yet uniquely cooperates to achieve valve actuation and resultant product dispensing simultaneously with uncovering of the discharge spout. Further, the full enclosure of spout 2t) subsequent to dispensing assures that after drip from the spout 20 will be prevented by the closely surrounding relation thereto of spout concealing portion 44 of element 12.

What is claimed is:

1. A two piece actuator spout assembly of plastic material for valved dispensers comprising:

a first element provided with means for securing the same to a dispenser and having a tubular discharge spout cooperatively associated with a shiftable valve actuator,

and a second element associated with said first element and having a finger-receiving portion in overlying relation to said actuator and a spout-enclosing portion adjacent the terminal end of said spout,

said elements having respectively integrally formed thereon interfitting connecting means permitting rela tive hinging motion therebetween and normally urging said spout-enclosing portion into spout-concealing relation about said spout terminal end,

said means moving upon application of finger pressure to said second element finger-receiving portion thereby to engage and to shift said actuator to open the dispenser valve and simultaneously remove said spout-enclosing portion thereof from spout-concealing relation to said spout.

2. The spout assembly of claim 1 wherein said connection means comprises flexible and resilient pin-like means extending from one said element and frictionally received within socket means provided on the other said element, whereby said pin-like and socket means resist axial separation of said elements while permitting tilting motion therebetween.

3. The spout assembly of claim 2 wherein said pinlike means comprises a pair of pin elements disposed respectively on either side of said spout in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis thereof.

4. The spout assembly of claim 1 wherein said first element further includes an annular mounting ring hav ing said securing means thereon, with said spout extending outwardly from said ring, and a pair of portions projecting outwardly from said ring on either side of said spout to partially surround the same, said portions being integral with said ring and said spout to rigidity said spout.

5. The spout assembly of claim 1 wherein said first element further includes an annular mounting ring having said securing means thereon with said spout extending transversely therethrough, the portion of said spout extending within said wall being tiltable with respect thereto and carrying said valve actuator at the inner end thereof, and wherein said second element finger portion is cooperably associated with said spout tiltable portion thereby to shift said actuator.

6. An actuator spout assembly for a valved dispenser comprising an annular member of resilient plastic material having means for attachment thereof to a dispenser, said member having an integrally formed spout disposed transversely of said annular member and including a flexible portion extending radially inwardly thereof terminating in a free end therewithin, a tubular valve actuator attached to said free end and communicating with said spout, and mean hingedly mounted upon said member for exerting pressure upon said free end thereby to flex said actuator and open the dispenser valve, said means including a portion removably overlying the discharge end of said spout. 7. A two-piece actuator spout assembly comprising: (A) a first element having integrally formed thereon:

(1) an annular wall provided with means for mounting said element on a valved dispenser,

(2) a tubular spout extending transversely of said wall,

(a) terminating at its inner end in a tubular downwardly open valve actuator,

(b) and at its outer end in a portion projecting outwardly from said wall,

(3) a pair of tapered portions projecting outwardly from said wall on either side of said spout and defining therewith at its said outer end upwardly open grooves on either side of said spout, and

(4) apertured blocks disposed on either side of said spout within said wall; and

(B) a second element having integrally formed thereon:

(1) a finger lever portion,

(2) an inverted cup-like spout concealing portion,

(3) and a pair of resilient depending hinge pins disposed between said finger lever portion and said spout-concealing portion;

said hinge pins being frictionally received within said first element blocks to thereby yieldably connect said elements and dispose said finger lever portion in overlying relation to said actuator and said spoutconcealing portion in enclosing relation to said spout outer end and partially disposed in said grooves,

whereby finger pressure on said finger lever portion will rock said second element on said hinge pins to shift said valve actuator and simultaneously withdraw said spoutconcealing portion from said grooves and enclosing relation to said spout outer end.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

HADD 5. LANE, Examiner. 

1. A TWO-PIECE ACTUATOR SPOUT ASSEMBLY OF PLASTIC MATERIAL FOR VALVED DISPENSERS COMPRISING: A FIRST ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR SECURING THE SAME TO A DISPENSER AND HAVING A TUBULAR DISCHARGE SPOUT COOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH A SHIFTABLE VALVE ACTUATOR, AND A SECOND ELEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST ELEMENT AND HAVING A FINGER-RECEIVING PORTION IN OVERLYING RELATION TO SAID ACTUATOR AND A SPOUT-ENCLOSING PORTION ADJACENT THE TERMINAL END OF SAID SPOUT, SAID ELEMENTS HAVING RESPECTIVELY INTEGRALLY FORMED THEREON INTERFITTING CONNECTING MEANS PERMITTING RELATIVE HINGING MOTION THEREBETWEEN AND NORMALLY URGING SAID SPOUT-ENCLOSING PORTION INTO SPOUT-CONCEALING RELATION ABOUT SAID SPOUT TERMINAL END, SAID MEANS MOVING UPON APPLICATION OF FINGER PRESSURE TO SAID SECOND ELEMENT FINGER-RECEIVING PORTION THEREBY TO ENGAGE AND TO SHIFT SAID ACTUATOR TO OPEN THE DISPENSER VALVE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY REMOVE SAID SPOUT-ENCLOSING PORTION THEREOF FROM SPOUT-CONCEALING RELATION TO SAID SPOUT. 